Update 11:50 a.m.
The Vikings are out on the field (dancing) and the stadium is filling up. Looks like this game is going ahead – Go Vikings!
Wait for it. #Skol https://t.co/1HY3MRgEpV
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 25, 2016
Update 11:30 a.m.
Protesters are at the stadium, where they have been met by a heavy police response. At the moment things are peaceful and there’s no sign that fans are unable to get into the stadium.
NOW: #CharlotteProtest outside #MINvsCAR game. Officers watching in riot gear and on bikes nearby in front of stadium #KeithLamontScott pic.twitter.com/NtyJVnEUF1
— Mark Davenport (@TheDavenReport) September 25, 2016
Update 9:30 a.m.
NBC Sports is reporting that both the Vikings and Panthers have made it to the stadium without any problems.
The TV station says reports of protesters planning to block the teams’ routes into the stadium “failed to materialize.”
However, it’s still a few hours until gametime and authorities remain on alert in case demonstrators try and block fans from getting to the station.
Original story
Today’s game between the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings could be in jeopardy because of the ongoing protesters in Charlotte.
Protests continue to be held in the wake of the police killing of black citizen Keith Scott on Tuesday, and ESPN is reporting that police have learned protesters plan on blocking entrances to Bank of America Stadium.
They are expected to start gathering on Sunday morning about a mile from the stadium and march down to it, blocking entrances not only for spectators, but also players and officials.
Good news for the Vikings is that at least some of them appear to have made it to the stadium without any trouble.
Despite reports of protestor's plans to block the entrance, the 1st bus of #Vikings players/personnel has arrived safely at the stadium.
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) September 25, 2016
The Vikings are due to take to the field at noon CT against last year’s Super Bowl finalists, and as of early Sunday morning a City of Charlotte spokesperson told NFL.com they still expected the game to go ahead as scheduled.
On Saturday, the City of Charlotte declared the Panthers-Vikings game an “extraordinary event,” which will allow it to expand policing resources in light of the recent protests, that has led to clashes with police, traffic disruption and property damage.
We will update this story when more information becomes available.
